The EU is discussing a new package of sanctions against Russia

The EU is discussing a new package of sanctions against Russia

Representatives of the 27 EU countries are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss a new package of sanctions against Russia targeting politicians, military leaders and four more Russian banks, Reuters reports.

 

 The European Commission has reportedly proposed that EU countries disconnect four more Russian banks, including private Alfa Bank, online bank Tinkoff and commercial lender Rosbank, from the SWIFT global messaging system, two EU diplomatic sources said on condition of anonymity.

 

 According to sources, rubber and asphalt will be added to the EU's list of banned imports from Russia, and the bloc will ban the Arabic service Russia Today from its territory.

 

 Export bans are designed to suppress Russia's ability to produce weapons and equipment deployed against Ukraine.

 

 Sources said the new bans would cover electronic circuits and components, thermal imaging cameras, radios and heavy vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum used in construction and machinery used for industrial and/or construction purposes.

 

 The European Commission has also proposed further restrictions on European joint ventures from Russia and Russian nationals serving on boards of directors in Europe, the sources added.

 

 Among the measures discussed was also blacklisting of persons involved in the production of Iranian drones used in Ukraine.

 

 The bloc is seeking to both expand its measures against Russia and close loopholes in existing sanctions, including by introducing tighter controls on the sale of satellite data to China.

 

 The Netherlands has proposed blacklisting Dubai-based Sun Ship Management, a division of Russian shipping company Sovcomflot, which is under sanctions from the UK, Canada and the US.

 

 Any new measures the bloc is expected to agree to before the February 24 anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine will require unanimous support from all EU member states.

 

 The unanimity requirement means targeting Russia's nuclear industry is off the table because of opposition from Bulgaria and Hungary, despite calls from Kyiv and hawks within the bloc, including Poland, the paper said.





Representatives of the 27 EU countries are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss a new package of sanctions against Russia targeting politicians, military leaders and four more Russian banks, Reuters reports.

 

 The European Commission has reportedly proposed that EU countries disconnect four more Russian banks, including private Alfa Bank, online bank Tinkoff and commercial lender Rosbank, from the SWIFT global messaging system, two EU diplomatic sources said on condition of anonymity.

 

 According to sources, rubber and asphalt will be added to the EU's list of banned imports from Russia, and the bloc will ban the Arabic service Russia Today from its territory.

 

 Export bans are designed to suppress Russia's ability to produce weapons and equipment deployed against Ukraine.

 

 Sources said the new bans would cover electronic circuits and components, thermal imaging cameras, radios and heavy vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum used in construction and machinery used for industrial and/or construction purposes.

 

 The European Commission has also proposed further restrictions on European joint ventures from Russia and Russian nationals serving on boards of directors in Europe, the sources added.

 

 Among the measures discussed was also blacklisting of persons involved in the production of Iranian drones used in Ukraine.

 

 The bloc is seeking to both expand its measures against Russia and close loopholes in existing sanctions, including by introducing tighter controls on the sale of satellite data to China.

 

 The Netherlands has proposed blacklisting Dubai-based Sun Ship Management, a division of Russian shipping company Sovcomflot, which is under sanctions from the UK, Canada and the US.

 

 Any new measures the bloc is expected to agree to before the February 24 anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine will require unanimous support from all EU member states.

 

 The unanimity requirement means targeting Russia's nuclear industry is off the table because of opposition from Bulgaria and Hungary, despite calls from Kyiv and hawks within the bloc, including Poland, the paper said.